The sales associate and I exchange a terse, knowing look, and nod in unison.
"Men," we say together, and then share a little, quite giggle to ourselves as we wait for the next monstrosity.
"It's beautiful."
I twist sideways on the skyscraper heels they've shoved me in to make the dress not drag the ground. "It's too long."
Kai takes my hand, making me twirl. I damn near fall over. "It's just the right length. Dresses like these aresupposedto be long. It's part of the look,kara.You just pick it up when you walk—or I will. That's usually the assistant's job back home, to pick up the dresses for the girls, but since you don't have an assistant?—"
I yank my hand back from his grip, scowling at him, which ruins thebeautifullook. "I can handle my own skirts, thank you, Kai." If it sounds a little sharp, it's only because I've basically had a red carpet appearance thrust on me on short notice, with no way to prepare other than having my boss pick out a dress and tell me that he's got hair and makeup'covered,'whatever that means.
I'm almost afraid to find out what it means. He's not the type of guy to do anything by half.
"This is the one. It'll look stunning at the gala." He hands a card to the associate so fast it makes my head spin, and then leans his head down and puts it at my waist—a move that makes me damn near turn redder than a tomato. I realize belatedly what he's doing when his teeth snip the little string attached to the side of the dress, removing the price tag without damaging the product. "Don't look. You'll only yell at me."
I don't bother trying to fight it from his grip. I couldn't win in this thing if I tried.
"I can't believe you're making me do this,"even though this is like a dream come true at this point"without paying meextra for my acting services. That's outside of my contractual obligations."
"Okay, fine," he says with a grin, waving the second assistant over as he leans in and wraps an arm around my waist, "I'll double your weekly pay as compensation."
"Triple," I say, knowing he's joking. Going to the gala, buying me the dress, it's more than enough. "And then you've got a deal."
"You drive a hard bargain, but I'm in." His card comes back to him as the second girl reaches us, waiting for her orders.
But he doesn't let me go. Instead, he turns to the girl and gives her his most stern Kai stare. "Tell me, honestly, do we make a nice pair together?"
Her head bobs repeatedly as she blushes under the pressure. "Oh, yes, sir, you and your lady will cut a fine image together tonight. A real power couple?—"
"Ah," I start, raising a finger, "we're not a couple?—"
"She's just modest," Kai says hurriedly, nudging me with his hip. "Aren't you,kara?"
I could indulge him. I could deny him and let him skewer himself. I play along, only because it's easier, and maybe a teensy part of me knows this is the best it'll ever get. "Ah, yes, sorry, I don't like to—I'm?—"
"—terribly shy," Kai finishes for me, putting my hand in hers with a nod. "Now, go on, Denali, and hop out of the dress. We have to go get your hair and makeup done, and we'll be back to pour you back into that satin number before we head off for the night."
I almost hate that I have to take it off, but it's only for a moment. I'm going to have to store this damn thing at a dry cleaner's store because there's no way it'll fit in my closet.
Kai is not kidding when he says we'll be right back. He's got me in a makeup chair with a stylist that he's pulled out of his ass, literally right down the street. In an hour flat, they've got me made up like some super high-class socialite and ready for whatever life throws at me tonight. I've never looked this damn good in mylife.And now I'm being poured into this fancy number, ushered into my heels, and shoved out the door and into the staging area like a model.
Except we're done with the modeling portion of this event. We've moved on to the actual event itself, and it's time to go.
"Your date said he'd be waiting outside," one of the associates says with a little wave in her direction, and I follow her, careful to pick up every spare inch of my skirt and the little bit of excess scarf that's artfully draped over my shoulder like a battle flag. "Allow me," she says, gesturing at my hand, but I shake my head.
If I'm going to remember to pick them up whenever I move, I've gotta start the habit now, before it becomes a necessity. "I've got it, thank you," I mumble, nodding to her as I lift my purse and head for the door.
And stop dead in my tracks at the sidewalk.
Kai's standing against what has to be one of the fanciest sports cars I've seen in a long time. It's shiny, overstated, but not too ritzy. The sleek white paint job is enviable, and there's not a speck of dirt on her. Twin tailpipes, a familiar logo on the hood, and windows rolled half down. Behind him is parked our usual car, where Anton and Roger wait with little waves.
My boss—I have to keep reminding myself of what he really is, so I don't get too comfortable in my new shoes as his companion—offers his hand, and I take it with a soft smile,hoping I manage to get through this night without falling on my face or embarrassing him. It'll be aHerculeaneffort, but if anyone can do it, I can.
I hope.
"You look beautiful," he says as he helps me into the car, bending to pick up the train on this thing before I can even move to do so. "Careful, now, Denali, you'd better get all the dress in there. Don't want you showing up with half a train."
My eyes are going to get stuck in the back of my head at this rate. "I know, Kai, sheesh. I'm not a child."
